Minisode 7 | June 14, 2022
How to Find the Right Couple's Therapist
In our seventh minisode in a series about accessing and normalizing therapy, we discuss how to find the right couple's therapist and how any time can be a good time for your relationship.
INTRO
Welcome to “That’s a Hard No” – the podcast about saying no and setting boundaries so you can become the authentic and empowered you that this world needs.
Reminder: While Sarah is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, this podcast is in no way a replacement for one-on-one therapy with a mental health professional. If you are struggling with mental health issues, we welcome you on this journey, but also invite you to seek out professional help.
Looking for a therapist? Here’s a good place to start: psychologytoday.com

SHOW NOTES
In season 2 of That’s a Hard No, we’re making it a priority to dig deeper into the process of finding and utilizing the mental health support you may need. We’re taking some time to discuss with our “in-house expert,” Sarah Saunders, what to expect from therapy and all of its intricacies.
Couple’s Therapy
- When To Go – Anytime!
- Remember relationships take effort. Professional help and guidance can always support all other efforts.
- Prior to marriage, wanting to improve your relationship, difficult seasons of life, conflict or communication issues – repetitive triggers
- Roles in the Family
- Parenting Styles
- Emotional Shutting Down
- Family Dynamics – Generational Patterns
- Intimacy Issues – can also seek a sex therapist
- Growing Apart/Falling Out of Love
- Marriage Milestones
- Expectations
- Remove the Stigma- It is important to know that couples therapy does not equal a failing relationship. Counselors provide additional tools and insights to be utilized as skills for communication and other primary relationship pieces.
- Terminology – Marriage counseling = relationship counseling = couple’s therapy – they are interchangeable
- Qualifications – Imperative that provider has adequate training
- Do a detailed search as many do not have the necessary trainings to support couple’s therapy
- Look for:
- Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)
- The Gottman Method
- Emotionally Focused Couple’s Therapy
Resources
Databases to Find Trusted Couple’s Therapists
- National Registry of Marriage Friendly Therapists
- The Gottman Institute Referral Directory
- The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy Directory (AAMFT)
Our Own Sarah Saunders
- Purposeful Growth & Wellness – Cleveland based therapy, using the wholistic approach Sarah supports individuals, families, and couples.
Credits and Thanks
- Many thanks to our friends and families (our “villagers”) for listening, and for your continued support.
- That’s a Hard No is a joint production of Clever Girl Marketing and Purposeful Growth & Wellness.
- Marketing and Production Coordinator, Maura Del Rosario.
- Production Support, Evergreen Podcasts, Noah Foutz, Producer.
- Music: “Whiskey for Lunch” by GG Rigs.